Polio eradication programme feels the pinch

THE world financial crisis could upset the 22-year battle to eradicate polio, just as victory is in sight. Next week the Global Polio Eradication Initiative, (GPEI) based in Geneva, Switzerland, will announce that it is short of a third of the $2.6 billion it needs this year, due to financial cutbacks in the countries funding the programme.

It would not be the first time pledges have been late, but this time the problem runs deep, says Bruce Aylward, head of the GPEI. The donor countries contribute to polio eradication from funds not tied to regular aid budgets. "Those are the first to go in a budget crisis," he says.

Unless the money is found before the end of September the GPEI will have to cut back in countries that have eliminated polio but are ...

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